IRAQ’S TOP FIVE CANDIDATES

Iraqis will head to the polling stations on May 12 for parliamentary elections. There are 6,982 candidates, including 2,014 women, expected to run in the polls, here are the top names to look out for.

Haider Al Abadi

Iraq’s Prime Minister is seeking another term in office. Mr Al Abadi has put together a Victory Coalition list that is composed of civil society personalities spanning sectarian lines.

Ayad Allawi

Also a Vice President, Mr Allawi is Shiite but presents himself as secular. He is leading the National Alliance list along with Sunni head of parliament Salim Al Joubouri. Mr Allawi’s bloc has been advocating fair and transparent elections.

Nouri Al Maliki

Holds the ceremonial title of Vice President of Iraq and is the head of the Rule of Law Alliance. Mr Al Maliki and his list have

faced criticism after ISIS seized one third of the country when he was prime minister. The list is based on principles of the ruling Dawa Party, which Mr Al Maliki led before leaving office in 2014.

Moqtada Al Sadr

Iraq’s firebrand Shiite cleric is leading the Marching Towards Reform bloc that includes secular groups such as the Iraqi Communist Party and Istiqama (Arabic for righteousness), a technocrat party backed by Mr Al Sadr. The Shiite leader suspended his Ahrar bloc and called on his 33 ministers not to run in the polls.

Hadi Al Amiri

The head of the Badr organisation and leader of the mostly Shiite Hashed Al Shaabi paramilitary units. Mr Al Ameri’s candidates officially quit their military roles to run for office.